Concrete bulkhead or retaining wall



Sept. 11, 1923;

F. G. BORG CONCRETE BULKHEAD OR RETAINING WALL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 'ori'gixgal Filed Jan. 5, B21

I N V EN TO R.

fiwr 6. 5096 ATTORNEYS.

- Sept. 11; 1923.

F. G. BORG CONCRETE BULKHEAD 0R RETAINING WALL Io'ri ip al Filed Jan. 5. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 q. Ill L1 1 igi hr-"T- INVEN TOR.

ww/r 6.5076

F BY 1 ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 11', I923. 1,467,470

F. G. BORG CONCRETE BULKHEAD OR RETAINING WALL Original Filed Jan. 5, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 5' F DIP/ff 50/?6 A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 11 1923.

F. G. BORG coNcRETE BULKHEAD 0R RETAINING WALL OriginaL Filed Jan. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N VEN TOR. 01m ,1501% A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 11, 1923.

ore rrs rnnnnrx e. BORG, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

I CONCRETE BULKHEAD 0B RETAINING WALL.

. TETj oF nice. :5

Application filed January 3, 1921, Serial No. 434,853. Renewed June is, 1923.

T 0 all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I F REDRIKG. Bone, a citizen of the United tates, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Concrete Bulkhead orRet-aining Wall, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to reinforced concrete bulkheads or retaining'walls and relates particularly to the type of bulkhead or retaining wall consisting of a plurality of rigidly connected sections adaptedto be fabricated separately at a central plant or, factory and shipped to and erected on the '01). J The object of the present invention is to provide aconstruction for bulkheads or retainino Walls of the type specified, of improvec and simplified construction which will be relatively strong and durable and which may be constructed at small cost as compared with any bulkhead or retaining wall of which I have any knowledge.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bulkhead or retaining wall consisting ofv panels reinforced and.. strengthened at intervals by means ofconcrete buttresses applied thereto, all forming a substantially integral structure.

To effect the foregoing objects, a bulkhead or retaining wall of my invention consists of a plurality of panels, of relatively large size, each comprising a web portion, formed at the edges oi": which are a buttress section and a head, said buttress section being pro-.

sided with a groove or channel adapted'to receive the bead on another panel. thereby rigidly. connecting said panels. Said channels will alsoform guides for the beads of succeeding panels,*which will insure that said panels will be properlyvpositioned.

The invention also comprises the various other'features, combinations of features and details ofconstruction hereinafter described and claimed. I v

In the accompanying drawings, in which my invention is fully illustrated, I

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a bulkhead or dock embodying my invention. I

FigurefZ is a sectional elevation thereof on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan viewof one of the panels shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Figure 4: is a fragmentary side view from the positionv ll of Fig. 3, the stay-plate supporting beam being shown .in section.

Figure .5 is a vie Wsubstantially;similar to Fig. 3 illustratingja modified construction,

F1gure 6 isa fragmentary side .view from I the position 6,-6-0f Fig. 5,. l1o.wing the stay:

plate supporting beam in section.

Figure 7 is an enlargedfrag lmitary i tional viewon the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Figure 8 is .a view substantially similar to F ig. 5 illustrating another modification; and s t Figure 9 is a vertical sectionalview then line 9-9 of Fig. 8..

Inthe accompanying drawings, I have for purposes of clear and definite illustration shown. myfinvention and improvementsas embodied in a dock, which, however, merely, typifies one of many different applications. of my improved bulkhead or retaining wall.

To efiectthe object of the invention as it relates to forming a clock of separate sec;

tions adapted tobe, fabricated ata central: i a

plant or factory as a manufacturing prop0, sit on, and then shippedto and erected on the job, a dock of my invention comprises .a; plurality of panels A, each comprisingweb portion A formed at opposite lateraledges of which are an enlarged columnar projec tion a, andwhat may be designated abead m The panels A are adapted to be rigidlyv connected to form the dockorbulkhead, by engaging the bead a on one panel-.with a groove or channel a formed longitudinally in the columnar pro ectlon a of another panel. As show-n, the beads a and grooves a are substantially. circular cross-section,

said beads; being preferably somewhat smaller than the grooves or channelsiaf", but

larger than the open sides of said grooves or channels, therebypforming, injefiec't, dove.-

tailed joints. ,In the finished structure the enlarged columnar projections a 'project from the face of the bulkhead or retaining. wall, forming buttresses thereon which will impartstrength and stability thereto,being proportioned and j adapted to sustainthe referred to as buttress sections and'will herelnafter be so designated,

fication and in the claims.

The panels A are 1., which extend transversely 'of'the web portions A thereof and around both the inner and outer sides of thebuttress sections ioo reinforcedv and strengthened by means of re nforc ng bars thereof in engagement with the grooves a and so on, said panels'be'ingset' successively until th'e'dock is completed.

After the panels are set, any spaces betwee nf'the' beads a and the sides, of the grooves or channels a 'will "preferably be filled with concrete, or grout, thereby uniting the "connected panels to form a sub stantially unitarystructure.

Thelower ends of theb'uttress sections a 'andof the webs A are preferably tapered as's'hown'at 3 'and the lower edges of'the webs A are preferably inclined, as shown atj lf Also, in order to provide a strong cutting edge 'therefor,'steel plates 5 are securedinth e lower edges of said webs in stlclr'relation that theywill project a desired distance beyond theedges of the concrete portions thereof.

In practicefthe panels A may be set by pile'f'drivers 'or by jets of water under pressure, in afaniiliar manner.

To provide for setting said panels by means of. jets, holes or openings 6 and 7 aref folrmed lengthwise through" the buttress sections (rand thebeads a and, if desired, in 'theigwebsA to which jet pipes may be on ec e j Thefpa'nels A may be of different widths and lengthsdepending upon conditions and the pressure to whichthey will be subjected in use; A desirable" width{ for 1 ordinary purposes is about ten feet. As regards t-heinlength, it is practicable to make and setpanels o'f any lengthnp' to one hundred fe'erand possibly of greater length.

The panels A having b'eenset, they are adapted to'be supported by means of backstays or anchors. As shown, said back stays or ancliors consist oflconcret e plates 8 imbeddediintheground or back-fill at a distance "from said docki or bulkhead and connected thereto. by 'means of beams 9.

Said anchorplates 8 and beams 9 will. preferablyfbe fabricated at the factory and shipped to and .erected on the job, means being'proVided for rigidly connecting the ends of said beams 9 to said anchor plates 8 and to the'buttress sections a of the panels AI Simple means for this purpose are as follows Formed on said anchor plates 8 andbuttress sections'a are brackets 10, formed in the upper surfaces of which and extending into said anchor plates and buttress sec tions respectively, are recesses 11 adapted to receive the ends of. the beams 9, which are made of such length and are so positioned thatthey will terminate short of'the inner ends of said recesses 11, forming cavities 12. Said recesses 11 and cavities 12. "may, however, be formed wholly in the brackets 1.0 or wholly in the anchor plates 8 and buttress sections a. Said connection alsocomprises reinforcing'bars 18 embedded in the beams 9, the ends of which extend beyond theends of saidbeams and project into the cavities 12 and overlap the ends of reinforcing bars 14 and 15 secured in the buttress sections a; and stay plates 8, respec-.

tively, and which project laterally therefrom into said cavities 12. After said beams 9 are placed in position with the ends of the reinforcing bars 13, 14; and 15 overlapping, in the manner described, the cavi ties 12 are filled with concrete, in whichthe projecting, overlapping ends of the reinforcing bars 18, 14 and 15 will become imbedded when said concrete sets and hardens, thus rigidly connecting the anchor plates 8 with the dock or bulkhead A, in the manner described. As shown, the ends of the beams 9 extend inwardly slightly beyond the sides of the anchor plates'S and the buttress sections at.

The length of the overlapping ends of the reinforcing bars 13, l land 15 is such that the adhesion between said bars and the concrete in which they are embedded will develop the full strength of said bars and will produce only compression stresses in the bodies of concrete which fill the cavities 12 and in which the overlapping ends of said reinforcing bars are embedded.

To illustrate the adaptability of my improved construction for forming docks or' bulkheads comprising sections extending at angles to each other, I have in said Figs. 1

and 2, shown a dock or bulkhead compris ing sections extending at right angles to each other. lVith my improved construction this can be effected ina simple manner, by forming a groove. or channel a in the corner buttress section 64 disposed at right angles tovthe panel A thereof, instead of in alignment therewith, as with webs used. in straight construction. buttress section is so formed that it will extend symetrically on both sides of the angle formed by the sections of the dock or bulkhead connected thereby;

Also, where the dock. or bulkhead comprisessections extending in different directions, the buttress sections a adjacent to the corner buttress are anchored to a common anchor or stay-plate 8, which comprises sections which extend substantially parallel with the different sections of the dock or Also, said corner bulkhead, said anchors or stay-plates andf to 7 of the drawings, in which the anchor or stay-plates 8, the beams 9 which connect said anchor or stay-plates to the panels A, and the upper portions of said panel parts to which said beams are connected, are shown as made in one piece. It will be understood, however, that the short top portions of said panels are merely typical and that said panel may consist of any, number of parts of any length to meet different conditions and requirements.

Referring now to said Figs. 5 to 7, A designates the main lowerpart of the panel section, A the upper part thereof, 8 the anchor or stay-plates, and 9 the beams which connect said anchor or stay-plates with the upper panel portions A As regards their usual features all of the foregoing parts will conform substantially to the corresponding parts shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and will be readily understood by persons familiar with the art without a description thereof in detail.

In accordance with my invention, as it relates to this feature, the top, portions A of said panels A are adapted to be connected to the top edges of the main lower portions A thereof, in the following manner :--The a top edges of the main lower portions A of u said panels are preferably made straight and embedded therein are reinforcing bars, the ends of which project upwardly from the top edges thereof, as'shown at 16. The bottom edges of the top portions A of said panels are also straight and are cut-away at their ends, forming recesses 17 and 18, and secured in said top panel portions A are reinforcing bars the ends of which project:

down into said recesses 17 and 18, as shown at 19. and which overlap the projectingends 16 of the reinforcing bars secured .in the bottom panel portions A As shown, said projecting reinforcing bars, 16 and 19 are grouped within the areas of the recessed ends 17 and 18 of the top portions A of said panels, but this arrange; ment may be varied as desired.

Tn setting said top panel portions A? means are also preferably provided for supporting said top panel portions in spaced relation relatively to the top edges of thebottom portions A thereof. vThis maybe effected in a simple manner by making the projecting reinforcing bars, 16 and '19of proper lengths to form supports for bills In practice, however, the means purpose. which I prefer for this purpose consists of projections formed directly on either or both partsof saidpanel sections. As shown,

said projections are formed on the top panel portions .A 'andconsist of ledges 20 and 21 formed around the edges of the heads a and around the grooves or channels a of the buttress sectlons a thereof, sald ledges beHlL 'Of proper length to form desired spaces, designated 22 between the parts ofsaid. panels.

In the course of erection, the spaces 22 are grouted in or filled with concrete, holes 23 of suflicient size and properly positioned for pouring theconcrete, being formed in the top panel portions A the lower ends of shaped to conform to the shape in cross-section of the panel sections and of such size my invention contemplates securing said thimbles permanently to one or the other of the panel portions A A which may be done at'the factory or plant. As shown,

that they will fit over the same. If desired said thimbles are secured to the top panel portions A .the depending edges thereof being adapted to be inserted over the tops of the bottom portions A of said panels.

In the preferable construction shown, the thimble formed by the plates 24: is secured to the top panel portion A by means of tie rods25 which extend through holes formed .in said top panel portion A and in the plates 24, the ends of which are riveted to said plates. "Said'thimbles may be attached.

to said papel portions during the process of manufacturein a simple manner by placing said thimbles into the holes for c i Said panel portions with the sides thereof connected by the rods 25. said. thimbles being supported in such positions that when'the concrete for forming the same is poured into said molds the rods 25 will become imbedded in the body of concrete forming said panel portions. Preferably, also. the plates- 2 l forming opposite sides of saidthimble are maintained in desired spaced relation preparatory to pouring the concrete by means of tubular spacing members 26 in tween the panel portions A A and will project beyond the same, thus protecting said ledges or projections from being broken or damaged in handling and in transit.

After the main bottom panel portions A have been set, the top panel portions A are placed in position on top thereof and con-- crete is poured into the cavities formed by the space 22 through the pour holes 23 until said cavities are filled. When said cavities are filled with concrete, the overlapping reinforcing bars 16 and 19, which extend into said cavities, will become embedded in said concrete, thus rigidly connecting said panel portions A A, to form a substantially integral structure.

In order that the joints or connections formed by the overlappii'ig ends of the reinforcing bars 16 and 19, when embedded in the concrete poured into the cavity formed by the spaces 22, shall develop the full strength of the reinforcing bars, acting either in tension or compression, and in order that the concrete in which they are em bedded shall be subjected to compression only due to stresses sustained by said. bars, the ends of said reinforcing bars overlap such distances that the strength of the adhesion between said reinforcing bars and concrete shall equal the strength of said reinforcing bars, And in order that the full strength of said. reinforcing bars shall be developed to resist bending stresses which the dock or bulk-head may sustain in use, said reinforcing bars comprise bars posi tioned in spaced relation adjacent to opposite sides of the dock or bulk-head and par' ticularly in the relatively thick buttresssections a.

In case it is desired to set the panels to a greater depth after the top panel portions A have been secured in position, the holes 6 designed for setting the panels by mean of water jets, are extended upwardly through the cavities formed by the space 22 and through thetop panel portions A Instead of closing the sides of the space 22 by means of'the plates or thinibles 24, I contemplate as a modification of the structure shown in Figs. 5 to 7, closing the sides of said space by concrete flanges formed integral with one or the other of the panel portions 20 and 21 entirely around the edges of the panel portions on which said ledges are formed. This modification is shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Referring now to said Figs. 8 and'9, A designates the main bottom panel portions, A the top panel portions, 8 the anchor or portions and 22 the" space between the panel portions A A In accordance with thepr'esent modifica-'- tion, the cut-away portions 17 18 and the space 22 are closed to form a cavity adapted to be filled with concrete by means of flanges 27 formed entirely around the marginal edges of the upper panel portions A Said upper panel. portions A will be provided with concrete pour holes and, if desired, with jetting holes for setting said panel sections toa greater depth, if this is contemplated.

As regards other features, the modified structure shown in said I 8 and 9 may conform to similar features shown in'l igs. 5 to 7, heretofore described, and will be readily understood without a further de scription thereof in detail.

I claim: I

l. A buttressed dock or bulkhead made of concrete, consisting of a plurality of panels initially fabricated separately and each comprising a web, a bead formed at one edge of said web, the other edge of said web terminating in an enlarged columnar projection constituting a buttress and formed integral with the web, the saidbuttress being provided with a vertical groove at its outer edge adapted to receive the bead of another panel to thereby rigidly y connect the panels, the buttress projections being adapted to sustain the total pressure to which the bulkhead will be subjected in use. I

2. A buttressed dock orbulkhead made of concrete, consisting of a plurality of panels initially fabricated separately and each comprising a web, a bead formed at one edge of said web, the other edge of said web terminating in an enlarged columnar projection constituting a buttress and formed integral with the web, the said buttress being provided with a vertical groove at its outer edge adapted to receive the head of another panel to thereby rigidly connect the panels, the buttress projections being adapted to sustain the total pressure to which the bulkhead will be subjected in use, said web being reinforced by transverse rods and said beads and columnar projections being reinforced by longitudinal rods.

3. A buttressed dock or bulkhead made of concrete, consisting of a plurality of panels initially fabricated separately and each comprising a web, a bead formed at one edge of said web, the other edge of said web terminat- 2 ing in an enlarged columnar projection consustain the total pressure to which the bully head will be subjected in use, said columnar projections extending downwardly beyond the lower edges of the webs.

l. A buttressed dock or bulk-head made of concrete, cons sting of a plurality of panels initially fabricated separately and constructed and arranged to be set on the job asunits, each of said panels comprising a web, a buttress section and a bead formed. at

opposite edges thereof, said buttress section being provided with a groove adapted to receive the bead on another panel, thereby rigidly connecting said panels, each of said 0 panels comprising a plurality of parts adapted to be connected in'superposed position on the job, the means for thus connecting the' parts of said panels comprising means for supporting the adjacent ends of the parts to be connected in spaced relation, reinforcing bars secured in said parts to be connected, the ends of which project into the space between said panel parts and being of such length that the bars on one part will overlap the bars on the other andmeans'for closing the sides of the space between the parts of said panel, said panel being provided with a pour hole for filling the cavity formed by said space with concrete, substantially as described.

5. A buttressed dock or bulk-head made of concrete and constructed and arranged to be set on the job as units, consisting of a plurality of panels initially fabricated separately, each of said panels comprising aweb, a buttress section and a bead formed at opposite edges thereof, said buttress section being provided with a groove adapted to receive the bead on another panel, thereby rigidly connecting said panels, each of said panels comprising a plurality of parts adapted to be connected in superposed position on the job, the means for thus connecting the parts of said panels comprising means for supporting the adjacent ends of the parts to be connected in spaced relation, reinforcing bars secured in said parts to be connected, the ends of which project into the space between said panel parts and being ofv such length that the bars on one part will overlap the bars on the other, and means for closing the sides of the space between the parts of said panel, said panel-being provided with a pour hole for filling the cavity formed by said space with concrete, the overlapping ends of said reinforcing bars being of such lengths that when embedded in the concrete oured into the cavity into which they pro ect, the adhesion between said reinforcing bars and concrete will develop the full strength of said reinforcing bars, substantially asdescribed.

6. A'buttress'ed dock or bulk-head made of concrete, consisting of a plurality of panels initially fabricated separately and constructedand" arranged to beset on, the job as units,each of said panels comprising a-web, abuttress section and a bead formed at opposite'edges thereof, said buttress "sec tion being provided with a groove adapted' to receive the bead on another panel, thereby rigidly connecting said panels, each of said panels comprising a plurality of parts 7 adapted to be connected in superposed post, 7

tion on the job, the means for thus con-"8 necting the, parts'o'f said, panels compris-- ing means for supporting the'adjacent ends of the parts to be connected in'spaced rel'a tion, reinforcing bars secured in said'parts to be connected, the end'sof whichproject' into the space between said panel parts and being of such l'ength' that the bars on one part will-overlapthe bars on the other, and means for closing the sides of the space-be.-

tween 'the partsofsaid panel, said panel'be ing provided with a pour hole for filling the I cavity" formed by said space with concrete,

the overlapping ends of said reinforcing *barsrbeing of such lengths that when embedded'in the concrete poured into the 'cavity'i'nto which they project, the adhesion between said reinforcing bars and concrete will develop the full strength of said reinforcing bars, and will subject said concrete, to compression stresses only, substantially as described.

7. Abuttresseddock or bulk-head made of concrete, consisting of a plurality of panels initially fabricated separately and constructed and arranged to be set on the job as units, each of said panels comprising a web, a buttress section and a bead formed at opposite edges thereof, saidbuttress section being provided with a groove adapted to receive the bead on another panel, thereby rigidly connecting said panels, each of said panels comprising a plurality of parts adapted to be connected in superposed position on the job,ithe means for thus connecting the parts of said panels comprising means for supporting the adjacent ends of the parts to be connected in spaced relation, reinforcing bars secured in the buttress secti ons and beads of said panel parts comprising bars positioned adjacent to opposite/ adhesion between said reinforcing bars and concrete will develop thefull strength of said reinforcing bars, substantially as de-- scribed.

8. Abuttressed dock or bulk-head made of concrete, consisting of a plurality of panels initially fabricated separately and con structed and arranged to "be set on the job as units, each of said panels comprising a web, a buttress sectioniand a beadformed at opposite edges thereof, said buttress section being provided with a groove adapted to receive the bead on another panel, thereby rigidly connecting/said panels, each of said panels comprising a plurality of parts adapted to be connected in superposed po sition on the job, the means for thus connecting the parts of said panels comprising means for supporting the adjacent ends of the parts to be connected in. spaced relation,

reinforcing bars secured in; the buttress sections and beads of sa1d,panel}parts compris- ,ing barspositioned adjacent {to opposite sides thereof, and the overlapping ends of said reinforcing bars being ofisuch lengths that when embedded in=tlie jconcrete poured intothe cavity into which theyiproject, the adhesion between said'glcil aforcing. bars and concrete will develop :the full strength of as units, each of saidpanels comprising a web, a buttress section and a bead formed at opposite edges thereof, said buttress section being provided with a groove adapted to receive the bead on another panel, thereby rigidly connecting said panels, a back-stay adapted to be embedded in the back-fill and a beam which connects said back-stay with a panel, each of said panels comprising a plurality of parts adapted to be connected in superposed position on the job, the top part of said panel, the back-stay or anchor and beam being fabricated as a unit, substantially as described.

10. A buttressed dock or bulk-head made of concrete, consistingof a plurality of panels initially fabricated separately, and con structed and arranged to be set on the job as units, said panels each comprising a web, a buttress section and a bead formed at opposite edges of said web, said buttress sec-l tionbeing provided with a groove adapted to receive. the bead 011 another panehthere'by rigidly connecting said panels, the lower ends of said panels being downwardly ta pered, and a sheet of metal set edgewise in the lower edge of the web thereof so as to projecttherefroin, substantially as described. In testimony that I'claim the foregoing as my invention, I afiix my signature this 29th day of December, 1920.

FRED G. BORG. 

